Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-14


am doing; for you know, Tom, they
have unlimited faith in that to which you
lend ceuntenance."
"Janie, if I could only feel convinced
that your course is just right. l am
man of few words, little education but
some experience, and l know enough to
warn even you, jamie Gray, that the path
of the worlds favor is dangerous and
difficult one. There are pitfalls in cities
for inexperienced girls that you know not
of, and it requires faithful and steady
nature to overcome these dangers. If 1t
were only in my power to protect you
through the world! 1t is strong right
arm that would keep danger from your
door; it is an honest, loving heart that
would prompt Thomas Toy to advise
nothing in which he could not altog
believe"
"Tom,,, answered jamie. "I've told you
many times that you must not talk to me
of such things. Our paths lie in different
directions. Your lot is cast among people
with whom 1 have nothing in common.
They look up to you for commentator
and counsel. You are the adam Bede'
of this little community. You rejoice in
being giant among dwarfs. I will never
be content until I can mingle with PEG
pie of whom can learn something to my
advantage. Tom, if you would only cut
loose from these old associations; 60 to
some place, see the world. Get an educa-
ton, be man; then join woman who
can appreciate the nobility within you,
bat SO deeply laid that it isn't for Jane
Gray to make it shine with brightest lus-
ter; and having done this, you will be a
man, with a mans liz terests, and not the
plodding, lifesick drudge you will speedily
become in trying to earn subsistence by
pturning these hillside rocks.
"But, Tom," she continued; and as she
noticed the downcast look in his eyes she
rose and laid her hand upon his dark,
curley locks and brushed them back from
brow broad and intellectual; 81 didn' It
mean to hurt you by what l said.
Remember always that Janet Gray has a
sisters interest in you, and though you
may wear away all your days in rough labor,
you are true man for all that and no
one knows it better than myself. I'll
always remember you, whether In poverty
or com fort, sickness or health; and though
it isn't for one like me to fill the place of
wife to Thomas Toy, yet try to T. ward III y
sisterly interest with a brothers love-"
"Janie" said he, as he drew her hand
| reverently to his lips, you are as far
above me as the heavens are above the
earth. This hand lyon are right, Janie)
was never meant to do the toll of a far
| mcr's wife. Go, my sister, do your work,
win your laurels of honesty and a good
name. Go, jamie, where the world will
appreciate your worth, but no better than
/ do. Go to the success you will I'M
doubtedly win, and my good wishes, bless
! ing and love be with YOU"
So saying, he rose from his place at
her feet, and the two walked up the wood
land path to where only the little orchard
separated Janet from her home. There
he left her to return to steiner duties.
X x
| During the ten years that followed this
conversation up in the wilds Of Cheshire
county, many changes have been in pro
gress. Janet Gray, after successfully
turning aside the many objections which
were raised to her plans for the future,
started off to the nearest station, which
we have said was twenty miles distant
She felt that she was taking the first step
in an undertaking which would prove sat
| isfactory. Long after she had left the
woods, the little brook, the hills and the
lhonest-hearted friends behind her, she
| Remembered the peculiar light in the eyes
of William Thomas Toy which she had
never seen there before as he babe her go
on to honor and success, and he said, as
he lifted her from the road wagon at the
station, "Perhaps we'll travel the road
! together yet" That statement was an
| enigma to her of which she could not
guess the nearing. Tom has something
in view. "Still waters run Deep"
| jamie spent the first three yeara that
followed in doing good deal of copying
in offices; and the time between work
hours was we'll improved by giving much
attention to the reading of the best
! authors. She made the home of an an
Gent relative the basis of operations, from
which place every morning she went to
her ufual work. During this time she
had gained attention from some Of the
best people of the city, by the great liter
airy ability she began to display, and
and when, six years afrer bidding adieu
to the associations of childhood, Janet
Gray timidly gave her first book
to the public for its approval
her success for the future was assured.
In all the important movements which
followed in which the services of a ready
talker or able writer were required, it was
her pen and tongue which did active
part. Her strong individuality, sprightly
| manner in conversation. her information
on all subj drew about her many ad-
mirsrs. In the the ten years that had
changed her from an ambitious gi1l of IS
to the noble womanhood of %, her face
was net marked with enc wit less of its
vicasity and Interesting expression. She
had kept herself informed of the family
up in Cheshire county, by scrawling let
ters written her at semi-annual intervals,
which usually referred to the state of
crops, moving Of meadows and additions
to the stock community.
Her stepmother was dead. Nomention
was made of William Thomas Toy, and
Janet lived her life in total ignorance of
, his doings.
She thought Of him many times, and
wondered if ne still plodded along in the
same humdrum way, or was he perchance
doing something to unravel the mystery
of the statement he had made at the
parting.
No doubt she thought he had married
some farmers buxom lass, who could
milk the COWS and tend to the duties
of a farmers wife in real earnest
Then with sigh the subject was dis
rniscoI